High Wind, Blue Earth
- When
- April 5, 9:00 PM CST to April 6, 12:00 AM CST
- Where
- Blue Earth forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 44.035, -94.067 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
High Wind in Minnesota, April 5 to 6, 2000
A tight pressure gradient behind a cold front was responsible for a large area of wind gusts of 40 knots or greater across much of central and south central Minnesota. Cloud 48 kts; Mankato-46 kts; Red Wing-45 kts.
Where it happened
Every event with a place to put it; 33 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
- Tornadoes
- Tropical storms and surge
- Floods
- Wind
- Hail
- Winter weather
- Heat and drought
- Cold
- Fire, smoke and dust
- Marine and coastal
- Other
The toll
- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- None recorded
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 33
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
What happened
The episode as NWS MPX wrote it up.
A tight pressure gradient behind a cold front was responsible for a large area of wind gusts of 40 knots or greater across much of central and south central Minnesota. Some cities with strong, gusty winds included: Appleton-64 kts; Morris-59 kts; Willmar-55 kts; Madison-54 kts; Benson-54 kts; Alexandria-54 kts; Minneapolis-51 kts; St.Cloud 48 kts; Mankato-46 kts; Red Wing-45 kts. A few other sites using RWIS wind measuring equipment had wind speeds of 40 knots or greater at: Regall-62 kts; Clara City-59 kts; Hanley Falls-58 kts; Sauk Centre 57 kts; Blue Earth-55 kts; Cannon Falls-55 kts; Clearwater- 51 kts. The Owatonna People's Press reported on April 8th that insurance claims were expected to reach into the millions of dollars. Damage included numerous trees down on homes, shingles torn from roofs, siding stripped away, utility sheds blown away. Driving was no easy chore either as high winds toppled a semi truck on County Road 6 north of Delhi; no injuries were reported. In Richfield Minnesota, the howling winds tore open the Academy of Holy Angels Star Dome. Thankfully, forty souls inside were not injured. NSP reported 5,000 customers lost power during the wind event in the Twin Cities alone.
The radar
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
Event by event
33 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
High Wind, Brown
- When
- April 5, 9:00 PM CST to April 6, 12:00 AM CST
- Where
- Brown forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 44.242, -94.727 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
High Wind, Carver
- When
- April 5, 9:00 PM CST to April 6, 12:00 AM CST
- Where
- Carver forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 44.821, -93.803 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
High Wind, Chippewa
- When
- April 5, 9:00 PM CST to April 6, 12:00 AM CST
- Where
- Chippewa forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 45.022, -95.567 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
High Wind, Dakota
- When
- April 5, 9:00 PM CST to April 6, 12:00 AM CST
- Where
- Dakota forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 44.672, -93.065 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
High Wind, Douglas
- When
- April 5, 9:00 PM CST to April 6, 12:00 AM CST
- Where
- Douglas forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 45.934, -95.453 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
High Wind, Faribault
- When
- April 5, 9:00 PM CST to April 6, 12:00 AM CST
- Where
- Faribault forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 43.674, -93.948 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
High Wind, Freeborn
- When
- April 5, 9:00 PM CST to April 6, 12:00 AM CST
- Where
- Freeborn forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 43.674, -93.349 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
High Wind, Goodhue
- When
- April 5, 9:00 PM CST to April 6, 12:00 AM CST
- Where
- Goodhue forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 44.410, -92.723 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
High Wind, Hennepin
- When
- April 5, 9:00 PM CST to April 6, 12:00 AM CST
- Where
- Hennepin forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 45.005, -93.477 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
High Wind, Kandiyohi
- When
- April 5, 9:00 PM CST to April 6, 12:00 AM CST
- Where
- Kandiyohi forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 45.152, -95.005 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
High Wind, Lac Qui Parle
- When
- April 5, 9:00 PM CST to April 6, 12:00 AM CST
- Where
- Lac Qui Parle forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 44.996, -96.173 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
High Wind, Le Sueur
- When
- April 5, 9:00 PM CST to April 6, 12:00 AM CST
- Where
- Le Sueur forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 44.371, -93.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
High Wind, Martin
- When
- April 5, 9:00 PM CST to April 6, 12:00 AM CST
- Where
- Martin forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 43.674, -94.551 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
High Wind, McLeod
- When
- April 5, 9:00 PM CST to April 6, 12:00 AM CST
- Where
- McLeod forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 44.824, -94.272 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
High Wind, Meeker
- When
- April 5, 9:00 PM CST to April 6, 12:00 AM CST
- Where
- Meeker forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 45.123, -94.527 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
High Wind, Nicollet
- When
- April 5, 9:00 PM CST to April 6, 12:00 AM CST
- Where
- Nicollet forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 44.350, -94.247 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
High Wind, Pope
- When
- April 5, 9:00 PM CST to April 6, 12:00 AM CST
- Where
- Pope forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 45.586, -95.444 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
High Wind, Ramsey
- When
- April 5, 9:00 PM CST to April 6, 12:00 AM CST
- Where
- Ramsey forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 45.017, -93.100 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
High Wind, Redwood
- When
- April 5, 9:00 PM CST to April 6, 12:00 AM CST
- Where
- Redwood forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 44.404, -95.254 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
High Wind, Renville
- When
- April 5, 9:00 PM CST to April 6, 12:00 AM CST
- Where
- Renville forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 44.727, -94.947 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
High Wind, Rice
- When
- April 5, 9:00 PM CST to April 6, 12:00 AM CST
- Where
- Rice forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 44.354, -93.297 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
High Wind, Scott
- When
- April 5, 9:00 PM CST to April 6, 12:00 AM CST
- Where
- Scott forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 44.649, -93.536 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
High Wind, Sibley
- When
- April 5, 9:00 PM CST to April 6, 12:00 AM CST
- Where
- Sibley forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 44.580, -94.232 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
High Wind, Stearns
- When
- April 5, 9:00 PM CST to April 6, 12:00 AM CST
- Where
- Stearns forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 45.552, -94.613 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
High Wind, Steele
- When
- April 5, 9:00 PM CST to April 6, 12:00 AM CST
- Where
- Steele forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 44.022, -93.226 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
High Wind, Stevens
- When
- April 5, 9:00 PM CST to April 6, 12:00 AM CST
- Where
- Stevens forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 45.586, -96.000 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
High Wind, Swift
- When
- April 5, 9:00 PM CST to April 6, 12:00 AM CST
- Where
- Swift forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 45.283, -95.681 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
High Wind, Waseca
- When
- April 5, 9:00 PM CST to April 6, 12:00 AM CST
- Where
- Waseca forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 44.022, -93.587 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
High Wind, Washington
- When
- April 5, 9:00 PM CST to April 6, 12:00 AM CST
- Where
- Washington forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 45.039, -92.884 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
High Wind, Watonwan
- When
- April 5, 9:00 PM CST to April 6, 12:00 AM CST
- Where
- Watonwan forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 43.978, -94.614 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
High Wind, Wright
- When
- April 5, 9:00 PM CST to April 6, 12:00 AM CST
- Where
- Wright forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 45.174, -93.963 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
High Wind, Yellow Medicine
- When
- April 5, 9:00 PM CST to April 6, 12:00 AM CST
- Where
- Yellow Medicine forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
- Coordinates
- 44.716, -95.868 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
What these are
- High Wind
- Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
The same day elsewhere
- High Wind in North Dakota, April 5, 2000
- High Wind in South Dakota, April 5, 2000
- High Wind in Iowa, April 5, 2000
- Wildfire in Missouri, April 5 to 6, 2000
- High Wind in Iowa, April 5, 2000
- High Wind in Montana, April 5, 2000
- High Wind in North Dakota, April 5, 2000
- High Wind in Minnesota, April 5, 2000
- Wildfire in Florida, April 5, 2000
- Strong Wind in Virginia, April 5, 2000
- Wildfire in Wisconsin, April 5 to 6, 2000
- Strong Wind in District of Columbia, April 5, 2000
More
Every storm in Minnesota in 2000Every state in 2000This day in weather historyWarnings in Minnesota, April 2000
Sources
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5141090, 5141091, 5141092, 5141093, 5141094, 5141095, 5141096, 5141097, 5141482, 5141483, 5141484, 5141485, 5141486, 5141487, 5141488, 5141489, 5141490, 5141491, 5141492, 5141493, 5141494, 5141495, 5141496, 5141497, 5141498, 5141499, 5141500, 5141501, 5141502, 5141503, 5141592, 5141593, 5141594.